Non-interference successive signal-box.



R. J. GASKILL.

NON-INTERFERENCE SUCCESSIVE SIGNAL BOX. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3,1916.

1 ,21 5,5 1 5 Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

fli @MM/ ED STATES PA N OFFTQ ROBERT J. GASKILL, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA,ASSIGNORTO GAMEW'ELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEEVTON UPPERFALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application filed July 3, 1916; Serial No. 107,231.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. GAsKILL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana,have invented an Improvement in Non-Interference Successive Signal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal-boxes for fire-alarm and other purposesof the variety commonly known as non-interference successive boxes. Insignal-boxes of this type the signal-formulating or transmitting-means,and the locking-lever for the signalingtrain, are controlled by thenon-interference device, thereby controllingthe transmission of thesignal and alsothe running of the train. Many structures involving thisbroad idea are known, but the simpler and more advanced forms are ofspecial design.

Prior to the innovation of non-interference successive boxes, manynon-interference boxes which did not involve the successive feature weremade and installed, and at the present time many such boxes are beingmade and installed, hence-there are a large number of such boxes in use;and this inven tion has forits object the provision of means whereby anon-interference signal-box, such for instance as one of the well-knownforms now in use, may be easily altered to involve the successivefeature, although the essen tial features of the invention areapplicable to other forms'of non-interference signalboxes.

In non-interference signal-boxes to which my invention is applicable,the non-interference-devices are arranged, ,if not previously sodevised, to control the movement of the signal-key, which latter forms apart of the signal-formulating or transmitting-means, and is arrangedfor operation by the'bo'xnumber wheel and is associated with a pair ofcontacts which it operates in transmitting the signal. The locking-leverfor the signaling-train is arranged tobe operated by or upon eachoperation of the pull to permit, the train to run, and the cooperatingparts are usually arranged in such manner that the train,'when operated,is allowed to run a predetermined length of time, or in other words torun long enough to enable a pre determined number of rounds of thesignal to be sent, as for instance, four rounds of the signal before thelocking-lever can again engage to stop the train. In adding thesuccessive feature to this type of signal-box, means are providedwhereby the locking lever is arranged to be controlled by the signal-keyin such manner that when moved into unlocking position to release thetrain,

it is prevented from returning to locking position unless the signal-keyoperates to open its contacts in response to operation of itssignal-wheel'to cause a signal, whereupon the locking-lever is thenpermitted to resume ts locking position at its next regular stoppingplace.

The non-interference devices of this form of box are usually arranged,when in cutt1ng out position, to be automatically restored to normalposition at the end or completion of each revolution of the signalwheel,so that the signal-formulating or sending means may make successiveattempts to send its signal, but always from or at the beginning of around of the signal, so that complete rounds of the signal only maybetransmitted whenever the circuit is in condition to allow thenon-interference devices to permit or cause the sending of the same.

In case the line is not in use or free from interference when the box isoperated, then the signal-key will not be engaged or'held in any mannerby the non-interference devices, and the locking-lever will be permittedto act just as if the means-herein provided for preventing it fromreturning to locking position were not present, but in case ofinterference then the locking-lever will be prevented from returning tolocking position until after its associated signalkey has been allowedto open the circuit in response to its signal-wheel in formulating asignal.

'In carrying out this invention in a simple manner a prop having a latchis arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key, which prop isarrangedto be moved by the box-pull to lift the locking-lever intounlocking position to release the train, and also tocause'its latch toengage the signalkey while said key is in its normal closed condition.The prop will then remain in its elevated position until the signal-keyis moved to open its contacts and disengage said latch, whereupon theprop can then immediately resume its normal position and not thereafterprevent or obstruct return movement of the locking-lever. The signalkeyis controlled by the non-interference devices and is held by them fromoperation if they are in disabling or cutting-out condition, as theywill be if the circuit is otherwise in use when the box is operated andthe signal-key will only be disengaged by the non-interference devicesjust at the beginning of a round, and the prop will be permitted toresume its normal position only when the key opens the circuit inresponse to its signal-wheel. In case the line is clear when the box ispulled the prop will be permitted to resume its normal positionimmediately, but in case of interference it will remain in elevatedposition until the signal-key is moved or permitted to move to open thecircuit to send its signal. Nhile altering the box-structure to embodythis successive feature, other minor changes will or may be also made,but the essential alteration is the provision of a prop having a latch,which is arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key, by whichreturn movement of said lever is prevented until the signal-key isoperated to send its signal.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a noninterference successive signal-boxembodying this invention, the parts being in their normal positions, andthe armature held mechanically restored by a pin in the train.

Fig. :2 is a fragmentary detail with the parts in the position they willoccupy im mediately after the box has been pulled, and before thesignal-key has been moved to open the circuit, the dotted linesrepresenting the non-interference devices as moved in response to aninterference on the line.

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary detail with the parts in the positionthey will occupy when the signal-key has opened the circuit for thefirst time, and the prop is disengaged and has resumed its normalposition, thereby freeing the locking-lever.

Fig. i is an edge view of the prop and its associated parts.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. at, the boxpull having been moved tolift the prop to a position to lift the lockinglever to release thetrain and to cause its latch to engage the signal-key while closed.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the cooperating parts for mechanicallyrestoring the armature-lever of the non-interference-devices.

Fig. 7 is a modified form of prop which may be employed.

The signal-box here shown, in so far as its general structure isconcerned, is of the type manufactured by the Gamewell Fire AlarmTelegraph Company and commonly known as the Gardiner box. It comprises asignaling-train having a pull 1, and signal-formulating-means includinga signalkey 2, a pair of signal-contacts 3, 4, controlled by said key,and a box-number wheel 5. Associated with the signal-key and controllingits operation are the non-interference devices which comprise anon-interference magnet 10, armature 12, armature-lever 13, having aprojection 14 arranged for cooperation with the signal-key in a wellknown manner. The armature of the noninterference magnet is arranged tomove out of its magnetic field when the magnet is deenergized, and to besubsequently returned by means controlled by the train when running.

The running of the signaling-train is controlled by a locking-lever 15,arranged to engage one of the members of the train and hold the train atrest, but which, when lifted by the pull, permits actuation of thetrain; and associated with said locking-lever are the controlling-meansoperated by the train by which its movement is controlled, whereby it ispermitted to return to looking position and reengage the train atpredetermined times only, so that the train is permitted to run for apredetermined length of time, as for instance long enough to enable apredetermined number of rounds of the signal to be sent, say four roundsof the signal.

Generally speaking, these parts or elements are of common construction,and in fact many of the well-known non-interference signal-boxes are ofsimilar construction.

In making these boxes successive, the armature of the non-interferencemagnet is purposely arranged to be restored just at or before eachrevolution of the signalwheel, so that the box, when disabled or cut outby reason of the circuit being in use at the time the box is pulled, maymake repeated attempts to send its signal at predetermined times, andsuch attempts will be repeated until the line is free from interferenceor the signaling-train has run down.

In the particular box, here shown, the armature-lever 13 has anotherprojection 16, see Fig. 6, with an inclined side arranged for engagementwith a pin 17 on the wheel. 18, which is secured to the shaft bearingthe signal-wheel 5. When the train is at rest, said pin 17 rests againstthe edge of said projection, near the end thereof, so that when thetrain is started, said pin immediately disengages said projection,whereupon the armature is free to respond to the noninterference magnet,and such condition obtains upon each round of the signal-wheel, in casethe armature is in retracted position at the moment the pin 17 arrivesin position to engage the projection 16, thus to repeatedly place thearmature under the control of the non-interference magnet in order thatrepeated attempts may be made to send the signal.

Also in making these boxes successive, it is necessary to provide meansto control their locking-levers, whereby their trains, when released,will be permitted to continue running more than their usual operationunder certain conditions of interference, to allow the signal to be senteven though delayed by other temporary use of the circuit, as determinedby the non-interference devices, and the provision of such means,whereby this and similar types of boxes may be easily altered to makethem successive, comprehends the gist of this invention.

Between the locking-lever and the signalkey, and adjacent the pull, asliding prop 20, is arranged, and the upper end-portion of said prop ismade T-shape, and one arm of said end-portion is disposed beneath a pin21 on the locking-lever, and the other arm of said end-portion isdisposed above the inner end-portion of the pull, so that when the pullis depressed its inner end-portion will be lifted and will engage thepro-p and lift it, and the prop when thus lifted will in turn engage thelocking-lever and lift it, thereby releasing the signaling-train. Thelower end-portion of the prop has a springlatch 22, arranged forengagement with a pin 24, projecting from the signal-key, and when theprop is lifted by the pull its latch will be moved to engage said pin onthe signal-key, and hence wilhbe held by said signal-key in elevatedposition until said key is moved to effect disengagement therefrom.Engagement of the prop with the signal-key occurs only when said key isin its normal position and the signal-contacts are therefore inclosed-circuit position. When the key is moved to permit or cause theseparation of its signal-contacts, and therefore, the opening of thecircuit, its pin 24 will be moved out of the path of the latch, orotherwise moved to disengage it, whereupon the prop is free to movedownward. It may move downward by gravity assisted by the spring 25, orits upper end-portion may be made as a hook, see Fig. 7, for engagementwith the pin 21 in the locking-lever, and in such case will return withthe locking-lever.

In Fig. 1, the prop is represented in its lowermost position, and theseveral component parts of the box-mechanism are also represented intheir normal positions. When the forward end of the pull is depressed,its inner end-portion engages and lifts the prointo the positionrepresented in Fig. 2, an the locking-lever will be lifted and thesignaling-train released.

In case the signaling-circuit is free from interference, the signal-keywill be moved or permitted to move by the rotation of the number-wheel,and upon its first movement in a direction to Open the circuit, bypermitting the signal-contacts to separate, its pin 24 will be movedfrom beneath the latch on the prop, and the prop will then be free tomove downward into the position shown in Fig. 3. The locking-lever willhowever be held in elevated position by its usual controlling-meansuntil the proper stopping place arrives in position to permit thelockinglever to resume its normal or looking position, whereupon itreturns and stops the signaling-train.

In case of interference or other use of the circuit, when the box ispulled, the signaltrain will run and the armature of the noninterferencemagnet will be retracted, and the projection 14 operated or carried bythe armature-lever will pass beneath the end of the signal-key, therebyto hold said signalkey in its normal or closed-circuit position whilethe signaling-train runs. The prop will consequently be held in elevatedposition and such positions of the parts will continue until thenon-interference devices have been restored to their normal positionsand the signal-key is disengaged thereby, and thereafter until the keyis permitted to move to open the circuit to send its signal. When thecircuit is opened by the signal-key in sending its signal, the prop willas shown, be disengaged and permitted to resume its normal position,thereby removing it as an obstruction from the path of movement of thelocking-lever, so that said locking-lever may return to normal orlocking position upon the arrival of the next stopping place.

The provision of this simple form of prop and its arrangement withrespect to the parts with which it cooperates, and the provision ofautomatic restoring means for the noninterference devices, so that thesignalingmechanism may make repeated successive attempts to signal whennecessary on account of other use of the circuit when the box isoperated is suflicient to alter an ordinary non-interference signal-box,whereby it will involve the successive feature, although other minoralterations may be made; and so far as my invention is concerned, I donot desire to limit its scope to this particular structure, as othermeans of an equivalent character may be employed, which are arranged forcooperation with the lockinglever and signal-key, whereby thelockinglever is prevented from returning to locking position by meanscontrolled by the signalkey, until said key has been moved to open thecircuit to send its signal.

I claim 1. In a non-interference successive signalbox, the combinationwith a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including asignal-key, a locking-lever for the train, non-interference devicesarranged to control the signal-key, of means controlled by thesignal-key and arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returning tolocking position after releasing the train, until the signalkey has beenmoved to open its signalingcontacts, substantially as described.

2. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with asignaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key,a locking-lever for the train, and non-interference devices arranged tocontrol the signal-key, of means arranged between the locking-lever andsignal-key, and adapted to be held by said key in position to preventreturn movement of said lever until said key is moved to disengage saidmeans, substantially as described.

3. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with asignaling-train having a pull and also having signal-formulating meansincluding a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train, andnon-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of meansarranged to be operated by the pull and also arranged to lift thelocking-lever and to engage the signal-key, whereby return movement ofthe locking-lever is thereafter controlled by the signal-key,substantially as described.

I. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with asignaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key,a locking-lever for the train,

and non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of aprop having a latch, said prop being arranged between the locking-leverand signal-key for cooperation with both, by which the locking-lever isprevented from returning to locking posi-- tion until after the key hasbeen moved to disengage the prop and open its contacts, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a non-interference successive signalbox, the combination with asignaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key,a locking-lever for the train, and non-interference devices arranged tocontrol the signal-key, of a sliding prop arranged for movement betweenthe lockinglever and signal-key to lift the lever and to engage the keyso that the lever is prevented from returning to locking position untilafter the key has been moved to disengage the prop, substantially asdescribed.

until the key has been moved to disengage it, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a successive non-interference signalboX, the combination with asignaling-train having signal-formulating means including a normallyclosed sigml-key, non-interference devices arranged to control thesignalkey, and a locking-lever for the train, of means controlled by thesignal-key arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returning tolocking position after releasing. the train while the signal-key remainsin closed-circuit position, substantially as described.

8. In a successive non-interference signalboX, the combination of asignaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-keyand cooperating signal-contacts, non-interference devices arranged tocontrol the signal-key, means controlled by the signaling-train inrunning for restoring the non-interference devices, and placing thearmature of the non-interference magnet under the control of said magnetjust before the beginning of each round of the signalwheel, thesignal-key at such time being held by the signal-wheel in closedcircuitposition, a locking-lever for the train and means controlled by thesignaLkey which is arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returningto locking position after it has been moved to release the train andWhile the signal-key remains in closed-circuit position, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT J. GASKILL.

Witnesses:

C. W. WINBAUGH, S. T. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C.

